Plastic waste is damaging to our environment as it reduces the capacity of ecosystems to adapt to climate change and puts a strain on food supply.
A key pillar of our ESG strategy is protecting the environments where we operate and managing plastic pollution on our sites and in our communities is a critical part of this pillar.
Our approach
Our 2023 to 2025 towards zero plastic strategy first aims to make our staff aware of the use of plastic products and the impact of plastic waste.
Secondly, we aim to work with all our suppliers to reduce the production of plastic waste across our supply chain.
The third objective will be to encourage the development of projects that recover and add value to the remaining plastic waste.
Zero plastic bottles
As part of our ‘towards zero plastic’ strategy, we are committed to maintaining a ≥95% reduction in of single-use plastic water bottles across all our operations in 2025.
In 2022 we identified single-use plastic water bottles as a major contributor to our single-use plastic consumption and resolved to reduce our consumption to near zero, setting a 50% interim reduction target for 2023. As we only achieved a 29% reduction, we redoubled our efforts in 2024 and aimed for a 70% reduction target, versus the 2022 baseline. Through the implementation of a dedicated monthly Working Group, we surpassed expectations, achieving a remarkable 97% reduction across our sites. For 2025, we will aim to maintain at least at 95% reduction versus our baseline and we will seek to eliminate plastic water sachets at our Lafigué, Houndé and Mana mines.
≥95%
reduction in single-use plastic
2025 target
70%
reduction in single-use plastic
2024
Community clear ups
Throughout the year, we organise site and community clean-ups to engage employees and local stakeholders in the fight against plastic. These clean ups have taken place in the major cities near our offices and one at the beach in Senegal where we collected around 150 kg of plastic waste.
ESG week clear up at Houndé
Clear up with local community at Houndé
Beach clear up in Senegal
Sustainability Report 2024
Read about our ESG strategy and the significant sustainability milestones reached in 2024.
